Northern Lehigh School District has turned down a request to put out another survey asking parents to see what percentage would want to see their children in school five days a week in person.

On an 8-0 vote Monday, the school board rejected putting out another survey. Director Michele Martineau was absent.

Resident Ashley King submitted a question during the board’s virtual meeting to put out another survey.

Link shared his thoughts on the matter.

“If all students came in five days a week, there would be no social distancing in the classrooms or on the buses,” Link said.

Director Robert Kern said he believes the district would be going down some dangerous paths.

“If I was a parent, I’d want my kid in five days a week, but are we also then going to say I’m going to disregard what the recommendations or the mandates are from CDC,” Kern said. “I get it, I totally understand, believe me, I am for all day every day; you cannot replace the teacher, that’s where the rubber meets the road.”

Board President Gary Fedorcha said he agreed.

“At this point the guidelines right now that are out there for our county is to go totally virtual,” Fedorcha said. “Here’s my concern with the survey; if we do a survey, and I would be willing to bet everybody wants their kids back in five days a week.

If that survey comes back in a unanimous decision by the parents, but because we cannot do it, then we’re going to have to say to the parents we don’t agree with you; I don’t know what the survey will do, it could even hurt our district even more. I’m torn.”

Kern said he doesn’t understand the comments the district is getting about lack of communication.

“What hasn’t been communicated, what hasn’t been transparent?” Kern said. “There is no hidden agenda. I don’t know how much more honest we can be.

“We’re trying to keep our students and our staff safe as any work environment is; that’s why many of our parents are working virtual now, is because their company’s decided for safety reasons that they were going to separate and follow the 6-foot guidelines or make their employees as safe as possible.

“How would we be any different with our students and our staff? I just don’t understand what the communication issue is.”